
If you’re a dessert person, you’ll know that no frosty treat can be complete without a fluffy swirl of whipped cream. Whipped cream is what gives so many desserts; we love that distinct lightness and creaminess which makes them stand out.
However, if you want to take this lightness and creaminess to the next level, using a cool whip instead is an excellent option. Traditional whipped cream can often be too thick and too rich, defeating the purpose of adding it in the first place.
However, the cool whip is a lighter, fluffier version which is much easier to swirl on top of any dessert you like – or straight out of the can if that’s your thing. For the most part, however, the cool whip can be pretty hard to find in the UK.
It’s traditionally an American product, and it can be hard to find similar products in the UK. However, this doesn’t mean you should be disappointed if you can’t find it yet.
Below, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of not just how you can use the cool whip but where you can get it in the UK. Moreover, we’ll also talk more about the various cool whip alternatives you can use and why cool whip is a better option than whipped cream in many cases.
So, if you want to add another dimension to all your tasty desserts, keep reading below to learn all about cool whip uk!
What Is Cool Whip?

When we think of whipped topping, what usually comes to mind is a thick, cloying, almost too-decadent addition to any dessert. Of course, when used in moderation, whipped cream can be an excellent addition.
Then, we bring a cool whip into the mix. Now, you may be wondering, what is cool whip uk, and how is it different from regular whipped cream?
Well, the cool whip is the lighter, frothier, much simpler alternative to the cool whip. Cool whip is a zero-hassle way of adding some more finesse to your desserts and can take them from drab to fab in seconds.
Cool whip requires zero prep, and all you need to do is squeeze it out of the canister in a perfect swirl on just about any dessert. Be it pancakes, cupcakes, waffles, cakes, or anything else, fresh swirls of cool whip can help you improve your taste and presentation.
When it comes to ingredients, cool whip and whipped cream have some marked differences. Whipped cream is purely heavy whipping cream whisked until fluffy, and sometimes with the addition of sugar.
However, the cool whip has several ingredients which help keep it frothier for longer. Cool whip commonly has skim milk, light whipping cream, vegetable oil and high fructose corn syrup for sweetening it.
Additionally, the cool whip is a much better option than traditional whipped cream because it stays stabilized for much longer. This means that it will retain its shape and fluffiness for much longer and can make your desserts look perfect for a longer time.
What would you use cool whip for?
You can use cool whip in a variety of ways, owing to it being an incredibly versatile product. The taste is super mild, with a lovely hint of vanilla, making it a great way to elevate most desserts.
Here are some ways you can use cool whip.
Icebox cakes
Icebox cakes are something we’re all familiar with. Growing up, these are the easiest forms of desserts to try and some of the most delicious.
There’s something super special about a frozen, sugary cake filled with layers of rich ice cream. However, icebox cakes can often lack that extra creamy element since everything is so frozen.
Here’s where cool whip comes in. With a light, airy frothiness, cool whip swirled on top of your icebox cakes can elevate this simple dessert and take it to the next level.
Additionally, icebox cakes can sometimes look a little juvenile, and adding a topping of cool whip can make them look much more refined.
Mousse
A light, elegant mousse is the perfect end to any meal, and with a canister of cool whip on hand, you can whip up this sophisticated dessert in no time. A mousse is a texturally pretty complex, and you might think that this dessert can be a little challenging to master.
However, using a cool whip can help you speed up the process immensely. Instead of whipping up egg whites or whipped cream, stabilizing them and then incorporating your flavourings, simply mix your flavourings into the cool whip.
For instance, if you’re making chocolate mousse, simply mix the melted chocolate in the cool whip and freeze, and your mousse is ready! This form of mousse can be much more long-lasting and keep better in the fridge too.
To really elevate this dish, make sure to use high-quality chocolate so you can have a richer taste.
Chocolate pie
If finesse is what you’re going for, you can’t get better than a chocolate pie. Chocolate pies can be deceptively simple, and with just a few ingredients, you can put together a lavish, impressive dessert.
If you’re looking to improve your chocolate pies, consider adding a layer of a cool whip as a garnish. You can either cover the whole pie in little flowers or add it as a garnish around the corners.
Either way, you can be sure that your chocolate pie will look and taste exceptionally better when you have some cool whip on top.
Ice cream
If you’re looking to experiment in the kitchen, you’ll know that there’s nothing more fun than making your own ice cream. Taking the DIY route often helps you try out several flavour combinations which you wouldn’t find regularly.
Additionally, you can experiment with creaminess and texture and create a product which is solely tailored to your tastes.
Traditionally, if you wanted to make ice cream, you would use regular double cream and whip it up. However, if you’re in a rush or just don’t want to go through the hassle of whipping up a tub of cream, you can use a cool whip instead.
Cool whip can give your ice cream a much lighter texture and can be a treat when frozen. Plus, if you’re looking to cut back on calories, using cool whip is the best option.
Cool whip has much fewer calories than double cream and can help you put together a delicious bowl of low-calorie ice cream.
Frozen pies
Another classic dessert you can modify and improve with cool whip is the frozen pie. Most pies are baked, but frozen pies are much easier to make, and all you need are a handful of ingredients.
Although frozen pies generally use frozen double cream, subbing cool whip and its alternatives instead can give you a lighter filling. When making a frozen pie, there are only a few steps you need to follow.
First, make your pie base. This can either be a mixture of crushed biscuits and butter, or it can be a shortbread pastry if you’re feeling fancy.
Then, take your flavouring – you can use any flavoured spread, melted chocolate, jams, or anything which you prefer, and fold it into the cool whip.
This gives you a rich yet never overpowering mix which is the perfect filling. Now, spoon all the filling back into your pie base, and pop it in the freezer. In a few hours’ time, you’ll have a stunning, mouthwatering dessert ready to gobble down.
Do we have Cool Whip in the UK?
Unfortunately, you can’t get cool whip in the UK. It’s traditionally an American product, sold solely in American stores.
However, you can get many cool whip alternatives. You can easily find these alternatives in all stores and at affordable prices.

Where to buy
There are many cool whip alternatives you can get in the market. You can purchase these both online and in various stores.
UK Alternatives to Cool Whip
Here are some of the best UK alternatives for cool whip.
Dream Whip
Dream whip is a little different from cool whip but can still give you the same results. The difference is that while cool whip is pre-whipped, dream whip comes in a powder form.
You can mix it in with any milk or milk substitute, whip it up, and achieve the same effect as cool whip. Although it requires a little bit of extra effort, dream whip gives you the same long-lasting results which you would get from cool whip.
Additionally, the taste is spectacular, and if you’re following a dairy-free or vegan diet, it’s an excellent way to add whipped cream to your food without compromising your diet.
Whipped double cream
If you’re looking for a simple alternative, whipped double cream is easily the best option. Double cream is the traditional medium for whipped goods and is a richer, more decadent version of cool whip.
If you need to add a frothy airiness to any dessert, just whip up a bowl of double cream. Using double cream can require some effort, though.
So, it’s best to go for this alternative if you have a stand mixer or hand mixer. Additionally, double cream is unflavored, so it’s best to add some flavourings to make it taste like cool whip.
You can add some sugar, along with a hint of vanilla, to really elevate the taste.
Butter and milk
If you’re a dessert enthusiast, you’ll know that there are few things which beat the taste of buttercream – cool whip being amongst them. If you’re looking to whip up the taste of cool whip, butter and cream is an excellent choice,
Traditional buttercream can, however, be too thick and cloying. When you add some milk to the mix, you can switch things up and make your buttercream resemble cool whip.
The milk adds some much-needed lightness to the topping and helps aerate it further. To make this delicious frosting, you need to follow some simple steps.
First, put room temperature butter in a bowl, and start whipping. Then, start adding icing sugar gradually and whip faster.
Once your buttercream starts coming together, add in some milk gradually until you achieve a fluffier, lighter consistency.
Is Cool Whip and whipped cream the same thing?
Cool whip and whipped cream are, in concept, the same thing with a few differences. These differences can make choosing either a matter of preference.
For starters, whipped cream is much richer and thicker than cool whip. This is because it is made from pure double cream and sugar.
Cool whip, on the other hand, has a larger ingredient list and is made from skim milk, oil, light whipping cream and vanilla extract. Alongside these ingredients, cool whip also has stabilizers, which help it retain shape for much longer.
These ingredients make cool whip much lighter than regular whipped cream. While whipped cream can start to melt and flatten within a few minutes of being in contact with a hot dessert, cool whip can retain its shape better.
What can you use instead of whip?
If you need an alternative to cool whip for whatever reasons, there are several other options you can use. If you want a vegan and dairy-free alternative, you can use coconut cream instead and whip that up with some sugar.
If you don’t have coconut cream either, you can use creamed coconut, which has delicious tropical notes and is an excellent way to jazz up your whipped topping.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a rookie baker or a professional pastry chef in the making, you’ll know that no dessert can be complete without a gorgeous swirl of whipped topping. This is the touch that not only aesthetically elevates your dish but helps bring all the flavours together too.
Cool whip is one of the most popular brands for pre-whipped topping, and they offer you a smooth, creamy, light taste which can pair perfectly well with almost all desserts. However, since it can be pretty hard to find cool whips in the UK, this guide can help you pick alternate options.
All of these options are the uk equivalent of cool whip and can help you bring that creamy, luscious element to any dish. Happy cooking!

Andy
Ever since I started cooking I’ve been fascinated by how different people’s techniques are and how they best utilise the ingredients around them. Even the person living next door will have their own unique way of frying an egg or cooking a salmon fillet.
This fascination led me on a journey across the globe to discover the countless practices and traditions the world of cooking has to offer. I thought you’d enjoy and find value in sharing that journey with me so I created Cooked Best!